Carrie couldn’t believe how the time was flying over the next week. She’d settled into a routine with the shop and was still loving working there. She even felt like she’d managed to bring Seren out of her shell a little bit as they’d chatted about books and Seren’s art. Poppy was going to holiday club every afternoon, and sometimes for the whole day if there was an outing or something she really wanted to join in with so Carrie didn’t need to worry about her being bored in the shop all the time, although Poppy seemed to like being in there almost as much as Carrie did.
Poppy had made lots of friends at the holiday club and had had a couple round for tea as well as going to their houses, and Carrie knew some of the parents to at least wave at and say hi to now. Combined with the women from the book club, it was rare for Carrie to leave the shop without bumping into someone she knew. Everyone was just so warm and welcoming here.
It was Wednesday and Aunt Mary was due back on Monday. How had they been in Castle Cove for almost a month? Carrie planned to stay for a little while after Mary returned and continue in the shop, giving her aunt a gentle reintroduction to work. Poppy would have her birthday in Cornwall on Tuesday and they’d be spending a few days with her aunt, before heading back to London the following week to prepare for school restarting. She couldn’t say she was particularly excited about the idea of returning to regular life and was purposefully not thinking about it. Indeed, she determined to focus on the time they had left in Cornwall. And, in particular, the time with Michael. They’d gotten into the habit of having lunch together, usually with Poppy and Layla, and then walking Poppy to holiday club if she wasn’t already there. They also tended toend up eating together in the evening, more often than not in Michael’s garden if the weather was good enough.
She didn’t think either of them had actually meant for this to happen, but it had, completely organically. They gravitated towards each other. And Poppy always seemed to need Michael or Layla for something or other, and of course, was back and forth checking on the kittens and Tabitha, who had taken to motherhood far better than Carrie would have imagined, considering her grumpy nature. But then, pregnancy was uncomfortable so she should definitely be forgiven for her attitude during that time.
It was book club night tonight and Carrie was hopeful it would go well. She was at least prepared for it this time and had bought a load of mini quiches as her contribution to the food.
Carrie looked up as the bell over the door jingled and Michael walked in with Monty. He bent down and let the dog off the lead and he ran straight over to Carrie so she could make a fuss of him. “Hey,” she said with a smile as she picked up Monty and held him like a baby. “Is it five already?”
“Yep. Well, nearly. I’m all done for the day so I thought I’d see if you needed a hand closing up. That dog is an embarrassment by the way.”
Carrie laughed as she stroked Monty’s tummy while he lay back in her arms. “Don’t you listen to him, Montmorency. He’s just grumpy,” she crooned.
Michael gave a little humph. “I’ll straighten up while you fuss over him.”
Carrie watched Michael as he went around the shop, tidying up displays and plumping up squished pillows on the armchairs. He looked very comfortable, but then she supposed he had been coming in this shop, in one of its forms, for most of his life.
A small group of tourists came in and Carrie served them, moving Monty into the crook of her left arm. She caught Michaelrolling his eyes at the sight. The ladies were obviously all enchanted with Monty who seemed to think he was finally being treated as was appropriate.
Finally the shop was clear of customers and Carrie was able to turn the sign on the door to closed.
“Are you going to continue to carry him like that?” Michael asked. “Because, if you are, I’m not being seen with you both. You can walk down to holiday club by yourself.”
“Grouch,” muttered Carrie as she placed Monty back on the floor. He pawed at her legs hoping to be picked back up again, but she shook her head. “Daddy says no,” she said.
“Must you refer to me as his daddy?” Michael said.
“Yes,” said Carrie firmly. “You’ve hurt his feelings enough for one day.”
“You are a nightmare.” Michael shook his head. Carrie wasn’t entirely sure if he was talking to Monty or her. He put Monty’s lead on and they headed out. He waited while Carrie locked up and then handed her the lead. Monty had taken to refusing to move if Carrie was with them and wasn’t in charge of his lead.
“The holiday club texted a little while ago to say they’ll be late getting back from their trip to the model railway,” Carrie said. “So I thought we could make the most of the beautiful evening and take Monty for a walk on the beach before they’re back. I imagine Poppy will be too exhausted to walk far.”
“That sounds good,” said Michael.
“Is Layla joining us?” Carrie asked.
“No, she’s video calling her mum about her birthday. But she’s put in her order for tonight’s dinner — chicken and chips — and apparently, I need to get some strawberry and banana smoothie for Poppy.”
Carrie laughed. “Sounds like she’s got your evening all planned out. Poppy’s still umming and ahhing about herbirthday. She loves to keep me in suspense as to what she wants to do. Thanks for saying you’ll look after her during book club later.”
Michael shrugged. “It’s not exactly a hardship. She’s practically one of the family now.” Carrie got the distinct impression from Michael’s frown and subsequent silence that he thought he may have said too much. He was right in a way though; it sort of did feel like they were melding into a family. Maybe it was a good thing that she and Poppy weren’t going to be around for much longer. The whole situation was confusing enough for Carrie if she thought about it properly. Goodness only knows what it must be like for Poppy.
“Layla seems to be looking forward to her birthday almost as much as Poppy is hers,” Carrie said, lightly, determining not to overthink the situation. She’d be away from Castle Cove soon enough. She’d deal with the repercussions, whatever they were, then.
“She is. She’s going to stay with Georgia the night before and then come back here for some sort of party in the evening. I will apparently receive more details soon.”
Carrie smiled. “It’s not every day a girl turns sixteen.”
“I can’t believe it,” admitted Michael. “I have absolutely no idea how it could have happened.”
“It’s great that she seems happier to spend time with her mum now.”
“Yes, definitely.” Michael sighed. “Although Georgia broke up with Ian.”
“Oh dear.”
